£

Acetazolamide

 
Maximum Quantity Allowed:
250 mg
28 tablets
56 tablets
112 tablets
£


Acetazolamide also known as Diamox is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor licenced for the treatment of glaucoma, fluid retention and epilepsy. Like many online doctor services and high altitude medicine specialists, we prescribe this medicine off-label for the prevention of altitude sickness in travellers ascending to altitudes over 2500m. 

Acetazolamide works to counter the effect of lower oxygen pressure in high altitude regions.  As you ascend oxygen pressure drops, which means you absorb less oxygen with each intake of air to your lungs.  Acetazolamide removes Bicarbonate from your body, increasing the acidity of your blood (known as metabolic acidosis). This change to blood pH triggers a slightly increased respiratory rate, which in turn increases the amount of oxygen you intake over time.

Product supplied may be from a different manufacturer

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Description

This medicine is usually effective for speeding up the acclimatisation process, but importantly it is still possible to develop symptoms of acute mountain sickness (AMS), pulmonary oedema (HAPE) or cerebral oedema (HACE) whilst taking this medicine.  Slow ascents are the key to safe travel to high altitude destinations, but Acetazolamide can help.

This medicine is being used "off-label". This means that it is not being used for its licenced indication. It is however the most commonly prescribed medicine for preventing acute mountain sickness in travellers visiting high altitudes.

Warnings

Pregnancy

Avoid taking Acetazolamide 250mg Tablets if you are pregnant, suspect pregnancy, or are considering pregnancy.

Breastfeeding

Consult your doctor before using Acetazolamide 250mg Tablets while breastfeeding.

Driving and Operating Machinery

If Acetazolamide 250mg Tablets cause drowsiness or confusion, refrain from driving or using machinery. In the event of temporary short-sightedness induced by the medication that compromises your ability to drive safely, discontinue driving and seek medical advice.

Directions

Acetazolamide for the prevention of altitude sickness should be dosed as follows:

Half a tablet (125mg) twice daily.  This should be started two days before ascent over 2500m and then continued twice daily until you have reached your highest altitude or you are suitably acclimatised.

Ingredients

This medication includes the following components:

Active Ingredient: 250mg Acetazolamide

Inactive Ingredients: Dicalcium phosphate, Corn starch, Magnesium stearate, Sodium starch glycolate, Povidone

Side Effects

Acetazolamide 250mg Tablets can impact the liver and kidneys. Contact your doctor if you notice lower back pain, pain or burning during urination, difficulty urinating, cessation of urination, blood in urine, pale stools, or jaundice-like symptoms (yellowing of skin or eyes).

Side effects that have an unknown frequency include:

  • Headache
  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea, loss of appetite, thirst, or metallic taste
  • Dizziness, loss of arm or leg control
  • Flushing
  • Increased urine frequency
  • Fatigue or irritability
  • Unusually excited feeling
  • Tingling or numbness in fingers/toes, cold extremities
  • Depression
  • Drowsiness or confusion
  • Loss of libido
  • Ringing in ears or hearing difficulties
  • Temporary vision changes (reversible with dose reduction or discontinuation)
  • Vision decrease or eye pain due to fluid buildup in the eye layer
  • Rare skin rashes, increased sun sensitivity

If you experience a severe skin reaction such as a red, scaly rash with bumps and blisters, contact a doctor promptly. Notify your doctor if any side effects become severe or if you experience any unlisted side effects.

FAQs

Can you buy Acetazolamide over the counter in the UK?

Acetazolamide tablets are a prescription-only medicine (POM) and cannot be purchased over the counter at local pharmacies like Boots, Asda, or Superdrug. However, they can be prescribed by doctors and certain non-medical healthcare professionals.